ALLEN PARK — The Lions’ injury list has dwindled as they approach the third preseason game on Saturday at the Oakland Raiders.

Running back Mikel Leshoure, who has never played in a game for the Lions, practiced again on Wednesday and is on track to play against the Raiders according to coach Jim Schwartz.

It will be his first game since he was drafted in the second round in 2011.

Leshoure is coming off an hamstring injury which forced him to miss more than two weeks of camp. Last year he tore his Achilles early in camp and was placed on injured reserve, missing the entire season.

He split reps with Kevin Smith with the starting unit in Wednesday’s practice.

Returning Wednesday were defensive tackles Sammie Hill (back) and Corey Williams (knee). Kyle Vanden Bosch (knee) went through a whole practice after just working individual drills on Monday. The players were off on Tuesday.

Still missing were Stefan Logan (ankle), Travis Lewis (knee) and Louis Delmas (knee).

Pride was on the line after practice with a few foot races. Rookie Bill Bentley beat Alphonso Smith twice. Chris Houston and Jonte Green split a pair of races. For more on that see TheOaklandPress.com later today.

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ALLEN PARK — Louis Delmas underwent a surgical procedure on Tuesday on his left knee, the team announced this morning (Wednesday).

The surgery was performed by Dr. James Andrews of Birmingham, Ala., a pre-eminent orthopedic specialist.

Delmas has missed the majority of training camp with knee soreness. He underwent knee surgery in December on his right knee.

Obviously he won’t be ready for Friday’s preseason game.

The team offered no other information. Coach Jim Schwartz may have more to say on the Delmas situation following this morning’s practice.

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ALLEN PARK — Louis Delmas underwent a surgical procedure on Tuesday on his left knee, the team announced this morning (Wednesday).

The surgery was performed by Dr. James Andrews of Birmingham, Ala., a pre-eminent orthopedic specialist.

Delmas has missed the majority of training camp with knee soreness. He underwent knee surgery in December on his right knee.

Obviously he won’t be ready for Friday’s preseason game.

The team offered no other information. Coach Jim Schwartz may have more to say on the Delmas situation following this morning’s practice.

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ALLEN PARK — Anyone who thought rookie DT Nick Fairley was close to playing, guess again. After practicing for the first time on Friday since breaking his foot in training camp, he did not practice today (Wednesday).

Four starters didn’t practice including Calvin Johnson (ankle), Louis Delmas (hip), Justin Durant (unknown injury) and Kyle Vanden Bosch who does not practice on Wednesdays for rest purposes.

Rashied Davis, who was out with a hamstring injury last week, was on the sidelines wearing an orthopedic boot on his right foot.

Also out were Aaron Berry and Jason Fox.

CB Anthony Madison, one of the Lions’ final cuts on Sept. 3, was at practice wearing No. 30. Look for him on special teams to replace LB Isaiah Ekejiuba who was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.

Practice squad moves: WR Owen Spencer was signed while Tim Toone was released. TE Cornelius Ingram who was on the practice squad injured list has also been released.

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Calvin Johnson (ankle), Louis Delmas (hip) and Cliff Avril (knee) are listed as probable for Sunday’s game at the Minnesota Vikings. All three practiced on a limited basis on Friday.

DeAndre Levy (knee), Brandon Pettigrew (shoulder), Maurice Stovall (hand) and Rashied Davis (hamstring) are listed as questionable. They also saw limited practice.

Rookie Nick Fairley practiced for first time on Friday since breaking his foot in practice early in camp. But don’t get too excited, he’s got a long way to go and is listed as out for Sunday, along with Jason Fox (foot).

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ALLEN PARK — They say time heals all wounds, well for many of the Lions’ starters it just took a day.

Six starters missed Wednesday’s practice and five of them returned on Thursday. Back at work were Calvin Johnson (ankle), Louis Delmas (hip), DeAndre Levy (knee) and Cliff Avril (knee).

Kyle Vanden Bosch was back, as expected, after taking his regular Wednesday off for rest. Apparently it worked. When players were lined up to jog down the field before drills, he and Matthew Stafford had a foot race. Vanden Bosch won in a squeaker.

Brandon Pettigrew (shoulder) was still out along with Rashied Davis (hamstring, Nick Fairley (foot) and Jason Fox (foot).

Gosder Cherilus was lining up with the offensive line starters for the second straight day. On Sunday Corey Hilliard started at right tackle.

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ALLEN PARK — Safety Louis Delmas (hip pointer) and wide receiver Calvin Johnson (ankle) returned to practice today (Friday). Neither practiced on Wednesday and Thursday.

Delmas, who was practicing on a limited basis, said on Thursday he expects to be a game-time decision, although his recovery pace has been good so he thinks there’s a good chance he will play.

Johnson said earlier this week that he expects to play on Sunday.

Wide receiver Maurice Stovall (hand) and cornerback Alphonso Smith (foot) have been practicing all week on a limited basis.

The only absentees were DT Nick Fairley and T Jason Fox. Both are coming back from broken feet.

The Lions host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at Ford Field.

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ALLEN PARK — Safety Louis Delmas said today there’s a good chance that he will play on Sunday vs. the Chiefs at Ford Field. He expects it will be a game-time decision.

Delmas suffered a hip pointer late in Sunday’s win at Tampa, but said it’s not too serious. He’s had worse.

He didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday. Even if he can’t practice on Friday he could still play.

Delmas was giving the media the old run-around — literally. Despite the injury he was moving quickly and fluidly.

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ALLEN PARK — Calvin Johnson (ankle) and Louis Delmas (bruised hip) missed the second straight day of practice today (Thursday).

Johnson said on Wednesday that he rolled his ankle and it was not a big deal. He also said he expects to play on Sunday vs. the Kansas City Chiefs.

Delmas was nowhere to be seen on Wednesday. On Monday coach Jim Schwartz said Delmas had bruised his hip in the win on Sunday and he was in “we’ll see” mode.

Veteran DE Kyle Vanden Bosch will have Wednesdays off of practice during the season. He returned today as expected.

Nick Fairley and Jason Fox, who both had broken feet, are getting closer to healthy, but neither practiced Thursday.

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ALLEN PARK — Three starters missed practice today (Wednesday).

Safety Louis Delmas, who bruised his hip late in Sunday’s win at Tampa, was out along with WR Calvin Johnson. His injury is not known, but he fell hard on his back making one catch on Sunday.

Also missing was DE Kyle Vanden Bosch, but that was expected. Coach Jim Schwartz said that Vanden Bosch, a veteran, would be rested on most Wednesdays.

Lions president Tom Lewand announced that Sunday’s game vs. the Chiefs has been sold out which lifts the local TV blackout.

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ALLEN PARK — Andre Fluellen is the second Lions’ defensive lineman to be sidelined with an injury this week.

Fluellen got his right hand caught in a face mask on Thursday and had it in a cast on Friday. Coach Jim Schwartz confirmed it is broken, but had no timeline on his return.

Rookie DT Nick Fairley broke his foot on Monday and is expected to miss most of camp.

At Friday’s practice, CB Alphonso Smith had shed the orthopedic boot from his broken left foot and was just wearing regular footwear. It’s a good sign that he’s on the right path.

S Louis Delmas had a screw removed from the ring finger of his right hand on Thursday and had a cast on it on Friday. Schwartz said he’ll miss a couple days because he can’t let the incision get sweaty for fear of infection.

RT Gosder Cherilus didn’t practice and neither did rookie WR Titus Young.

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Monday was the first day that Lions’ practice was open to the general public. At least 1,000 were in attendance and they got a good glimpse of safety Louis Delmas who ran along the fence line on his way out to warm-ups.

During practice he couldn’t help himself, Delmas was chirping back and forth with fans.

He loves them and it appears mutual.

“You have no idea, everyday out here with the fans is like game day. They bring energy and enthusiasm. I appreciate the fans so much and I love them to death,’’ said Delmas who missed most of last year’s camp with a groin injury that bothered him all season.

That is no longer an issue following offseason surgery and rehab.

“It’s resolved, I’m 100 percent,’’ Delmas said. “My groin injury is not a factor any more.’’

No wonder he’s in a good mood.

Tuesday and Wednesday practices are open. They start at 9:15 a.m., with gates opening at 8:45 a.m. The Lions practice facility is at 222 Republic Drive, Allen Park.

Three reasons the lockout may have been advantageous for the players.

1. They got a break both physically and mentally. Most, if not all, are disciplined enough to keep themselves in shape. Maybe having several months away from the office will be good for their mental health.

2. Several were recovering from surgery (Matthew Stafford, Ndamukong Suh, Louis Delmas, Lawrence Jackson, Gosder Cherilus) so the break gave them time to rehab at their own pace and not rush back.

3. They didn’t miss any paychecks

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Three reasons the secondary will improve even without another free agent signing:

1. The improved defensive line will automatically make the secondary better. Louis Delmas joked that he’ll just be sitting back and watching the line do all the work. It was a joke, but it’s close to reality. Think Aaron Rodgers, Jay Cutler and the rest won’t be under extra pressure? Absolutely they will be.

2. Safety Erik Coleman could prove to be a quality free agent signing. The 29-year-old safety has been working out with Louis Delmas during the lockout and was on hand at the player workouts. He’s a veteran who should be able to adapt quickly to the Lions’ defensive scheme.

3. Louis Delmas expects to be 100 percent healthy following offseason groin surgery. He was never 100 percent all during last season.

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Three things fans would like to see at Lions’ training camp:

1. A healthy Louis Delmas. The free safety struggled from the start of training camp last year with a groin issue. He missed much of camp, but when it was game time he was there. At the players’ workouts he said he was close to 100 percent following surgery and expects to be back at full speed for camp.

2. Tons of competition at several positions. This could be the case especially on defense where the depth chart is much more wide open than on defense.

3. A few hard knocks now and then. It’s not a sign of lack of discipline when players get in fights and tussles. It’s more a sign of intensity which is a good thing. Last year’s camp ended with a big fight. There was some thought maybe it was a bad sign. But the veteran players were pleased because they knew it was a good sign that the players still had the intensity even though they knew it was the last day of camp.

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Louis Delmas needs a partner at safety and he’s doing his best in the offseason to work out the situation.

Delmas, who was slowed down most of last season with a serious groin injury, had offseason surgery and expects to be 100 percent when training camp opens whenever that may be.

He trains in Miami, his home, while waiting for the lockout to be lifted. And this offseason he’s been working out with Erik Coleman, who signed as a free agent with the Lions before the lockout.

Not only do they work out, but Delmas said last week he’s hoping they can start watching film, so Delmas can bring Coleman up to speed on the Lions’ defensive scheme.

Coleman, a veteran, is expected to compete for the starting spot at safety along with Amari Spievey, who was moved from cornerback to safety last year in his rookie season.

Delmas said he is in daily contact with Spievey who couldn’t make it to the Lions workouts last week because of issues at home.

>P> Coleman was there meeting his new teammates.

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Five things we learned at the Lions’ informal workouts this week:

1. Obviously just the fact they bothered to pull it together should show the fans how much they care. Most of these guys have offseason homes elsewhere, so it wasn’t like they rolled out of bed and headed to Country Day. About 30-35 guys showed up which is better than the numbers for most NFL teams who have tried these informal workouts. They are obviously in shape which is another key factor. Kyle Vanden Bosch was the instigator here and should be credited. It was so successful it will be repeated the week of June 6 and more players are expected.

2. Quarterback Matthew Stafford said a number of times that his shoulder is 100 percent and then went out and proved it by throwing blistering bombs. Rookie Titus Young joked that his hands were stinging so much he wanted to stick them in a bucket of ice water. Also, Stafford has bulked up. He’s noticeably wider across the shoulders. Said much of his rehab was work to make his back stronger, which in turn should keep his shoulders healthy.

3. Titus Young is raw, but his new teammates said he had impressive hands for a guy of his size. He looks really skinny. He’s listed at 5-foot-11 and 174 pounds. Aside from his hands, Nate Burleson said he had a great work ethic and was willing to do whatever the guys wanted him to do.

4. Safety Louis Delmas is not 100 percent after his groin surgery in January, but he’s close. He puts it at 85 percent. He participated in most of the drills and looked sharp. In fact, better than he did all last season.

5. The offensive line is whole, back and hungry. Stephen Peterman who was slowed last year with a torn muscle in the bottom of his right foot is healthy. Gosder Cherilus, who had microfracture knee surgery in December, is close. This line has been together and appears they will return intact. Wouldn’t say there’s a chip on their shoulders, but think they might have something to prove.

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Safety Louis Delmas, who didn’t work out with the Lions on Monday, was in attendance on Tuesday at the informal workout with 34 of his teammates.

You couldn’t miss him. His mouth still goes 100 miles per minute.

“It’s like white noise, I don’t even hear it any more, I didn’t even know he was here,’’ Kyle Vanden Bosch said.

“He’s an intense guy, he’s going to let his presence known no matter if it good or bad,’’ Cliff Avril said. “It’s good to have him cheering guys on.’’ (Follow me on Twitter @PaulaPasche.)

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Lions beefed up the secondary last week when they signed safety Erik Coleman who had been released by the Falcons.

But until today (Thursday) at the NFL Combine they did not have a comment on the acquisition.

Coach Jim Schwartz said at this point it’s uncertain whether he will start opposite Louis Delmas, or serve as a backup.

“I think physically he fits what we’re looking for, sizewise and things like that. He also has starting experience, I think that’s important. We need, Amari Spievey needs to develop for us, he needs to continue. He did some things very, very well as a rookie, other things he played as a rookie,’’ Schwartz said.

“It helps tremendously when you have Erik who is still young, fits the job description and also has a lot of starting experience, can start, may be a backup again -- that race hasn’t been run yet. It was one of those situations he was available, he fit the job description of what we were looking for and it was good to add him,’’ the coach added.

The 28-year-old Coleman started in his first two seasons (2008 and 2009) with the Falcons, but was injured in the opener last year and replaced by a younger guy.

“When he came back healthy they had gone to their younger player and that guy played pretty well. I thought he played well in the opener that was the only film we had on him last year,’’ Schwartz said.

Coleman, who was drafted by the Jets out of Washington State, started 45 of his first 48 NFL games with the Jets.

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Jeff Backus got a little love today when he was named to the ESPN All-NFC North team. Backus was selected at left tackle over Green Bay’s Chad Clifton.

Backus, who has not missed a game in 10 seasons, does not get a lot of love from Lions fans, but the Lions’ coaching staff shows him great respect and that is what matters.

Backus, who is 33, has another year on his contract.

The Lions are prepared for his eventual retirement with Corey Hilliard and Jason Fox, a fourth-round pick in 2010. Hilliard was solid replacing the injured Gosder Cherilus at right tackle at the end of the season.

Fox saw limited playing time but that was only because the line was mostly healthy.

Other Lions who made the All-NFC North list include wide receiver Calvin Johnson, tight end Brandon Pettigrew, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and kick returner Stefan Logan.

Chicago’s Chris Harris beat out Lions safety Louis Delmas. ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert put together the list with input from 800 of his followers.

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